Forbes Phoenix

Men’s Foursomes Tightly Contested

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On Saturday the field of 52 Forbes golfers contested the Men’s Foursomes Champi­onships, a 2 day event proudly sponsored by FINDEX (Forbes). The pairing of Caleb Hanrahan and Ar­chie Quirk dominated the event, winning both the Scratch (152) and Handicap (148 nett) Championship and defending their 2025 Scratch Championship.

Runners up in both were John Betland and Andrew Dukes who were two shots be­hind in both events.

The Day 1 Handicap was won by D Page and A Grierson (73 nett) but they faltered badly on Day 2.

The Day 1 Handicap runners-up were T Howe and S Betland (73.5 nett) but they also faltered on Day 2.

The ball sweeps were: day 1, 78 nett and day 2, 78.5 nett. NTPs were shared across the field but the excitement was with the 3rd hole super pin. Day 1 was won by S Kirkman (890 cm), while day 2 was won by C Hanrahan (257 cm).The competition coming up on Saturday 4 July is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Walkers Ag-n-Vet. Sunday will be a Stabl­eford Medley.

By Short Putt

Forbes Croquet Report

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Wayne Denyer, Helen Lupis, Evelyn Mahlo and Irene Riley enjoy their game of croquet.

On Saturday 20 June Aussie croquet was played with only a small number in attend­ance, however those members who par­ticipated enjoyed the morning. A total of 18 games were played on the day with winners of all three games being Kevin Wenning, Noel Jolliffe, John Browne, Fay Picker and David West. Well done to those players.

On Tuesday 23 June Golf croquet was played with 36 members in attendance. It was a very foggy morning when setting up, however all cleared later and it was indeed quite a lovely morning even though it was cooler.

Winners of all three games on the day were Darryl Burley, Elvy Quirk, Noel Jolliffe and Fay Picker. Congratulations to those players. A total of 26 games were played in total.

Our croquet lawns are looking good at the moment with the cooler weather and the constant falls of rain.

The game of croquet has been played since the 1800 when it was played in An­cient Egypt (played with a stick and a wooden ball) and at that time didn’t have a name. Later played across England and Europe when it was given a name. It is now played all over the world and has become a very popular sport. It is suitable for all age groups. It is a game of skill, hand and eye co-ordination, gentle exercise and a great social activity.

If you are interested in giving croquet a try, everyone of all ages and all abilities is welcome, come and join our group, Forbes Croquet Club members meet every Tues­day and Saturday for a game. Enquiries can be made by calling 0428 540 272.

By Elvy Quirk, President

From Phil Donato MP

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This month, I have continued advocating strongly for our region – focusing on improving local health services, strengthening community safety, and ensuring regional voices are heard at the highest levels.

I have raised a range of important issues affecting the Orange electorate, including access to healthcare, delivery of essential infrastructure, and the need for greater accountability and transparency in decisions that directly impact regional communities. My priority remains making sure our region is not overlooked and that government delivers where it matters most.

Encouragingly, this continued advocacy is delivering results, with the 2026-27 NSW State Budget securing key wins for Orange, Forbes and surrounding communities.

The budget includes significant investment in healthcare following ongoing engagement with local clinicians, including a new surgical theatre at Forbes Hospital and $9.9 million for a surgical robot at Orange Health Service. This world- class technology – a first for regional NSW – will allow patients to access advanced procedures closer to home instead of travelling to Sydney, improving outcomes and reducing stress for families.

The long-awaited upgrade at Forbes Hospital will modernise ageing facilities and enhance patient safety, while Orange·s expanded surgical capability will further strengthen its role as a leading regional medical hub and help attract and retain specialist staff.

The budget also delivers a 50% boost to domestic and family violence funding, totalling $184.1 million over four years, providing stronger support for frontline services assisting women, children and families across our region.

These outcomes show what strong, consistent advocacy can achieve. I will continue working hard to ensure our communities receive the investment, services, and attention they deserve.

Local Students Attend Parliament Of NSW’s Regional Roadshow

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Pictured at the Cowra Civic Centre are the 60 plus students and members of Parliament who attended the Parliament of NSW Regional Roadshow Forum.

The Parliament of NSW Regional Road­show was in Cowra on Wednesday, 17 June, bringing together students from across the region to engage with the demo­cratic process.

Now in their third year, the Regional Roadshows are an initiative of the NSW Legislative Council designed to give young people meaningful opportunities to engage with the democratic process, share their perspectives and connect directly with Members of Parliament.

Regional centres host Roadshows throughout the year, with years 10 to 12 students travelling from surrounding areas to participate in a Public Speaking Compe­tition and Youth Forum.

Over 60 student leaders from across the Central West, the Riverina and the wider region participated in the forum. The event allowed student leaders to speak directly to Members of Parliament and other sen­ior figures on issues that matter to them such as: cost of living and financial stress, employment opportunities and future path­ways, cost and accessibility of university or TAFE, housing affordability, mental health and wellbeing.

The Youth Forums gave young people the opportunity to discuss issues of impor­tance to them, exchange ideas and con­tribute to conversations about their com­munities and their future, while the Public Speaking Competition provided students with a platform to showcase their commu­nication skills and confidence.

Winners from each Public Speaking Competition round will be invited to com­pete in the State Final, to be held in the Legislative Chamber at Parliament House in December.

Mayoral Notes

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What an incredible Frost and Fire festival! We were so lucky with the weather, which­helped bring out a fantastic crowd. Over 2,000 people rugged up to be part of the winter solstice celebrations at the Forbes Ski Dam. It’s great to see the event continu­ing to grow evolve. An estimated $300,000 was injected into our local economy, which is a huge win for our businesses and com­munity.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and to all who came along.

Particularly our sponsors and special events crew. You made it a night to remem­ber. We’re already working on some new ideas for next year.

This week I’ve been in Canberra attend­ing the National General Assembly of Lo­cal Government. It’s the largest gathering of council leaders, with around 1,000 dele­gates from across Australia and overseas.

It’s a valuable opportunity to advocate for stronger federal funding, smarter policy and better partnerships for our communi­ties. This year’s discussions focused on ten key priorities, with financial sustain­ability emerging as the major challenge.

As councils take on more responsibilities, the pressure on local budgets continues to grow. At the same time, Financial Assis­tance Grants have fallen from 1% of Com­monwealth taxation revenue in 1996 to just 0.5% today. To address this, Australian Lo­cal Government Association (ALGA) is call­ing for funding to be restored to 1% over the next three years. We’ll keep pushing to ensure communities like Forbes are better supported into the future.

Plastic Free July kicks off next week, and it’s a great chance to make a simple change. Why not give up one single-use plastic item like your daily takeaway cup, plastic bottles or packaged produce and see how you go? You can do it on your own or challenge your friends, family or colleagues. Make your plastic-free pledge at www.plasticfreejuly.org. You can also go in the draw to win an amazing plastic-free prize. Just head to Council’s social media pages and share your pledge in the com­ments. Every small step adds up to a big difference for a more plastic-free future.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Snippets…

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Come along for a deadly day of culture, connection, celebration, and community.

Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation: Yoorana Gunya & Binaal Billa invites all community and valued patients to celebrate this year’s NAIDOC theme, “50 Years of Deadly.” We encourage community members to RSVP on 6850 1222 or via email sewb@yoora­nagunya.com.au. Transport also available, please include this in your RSVP Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Aus­tralia: Give up alcohol this July in the fight against prostate cancer. One month with­out alcohol can make a lasting difference for Australian men and their families affect­ed by prostate cancer. 1 in 5 men are likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer within their lifetime. Join Dry July and help fund support services, awareness and research for prostate cancer Prostate Cancer Foun­dation of Australia

Forbes Children and Youth Hub: Has your child always dreamed of being a drum­mer? Rob Shannon is offering the chance for those aged 8-18 years old to spend a session learning how to find your rhythm.

Being held Monday July 13th with session one from 10:00am – 11:30am and session two from 11:45 – 1:15pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1992177528088899

Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day: The committee are seeking stallholders for their upcoming event on Saturday 19 Sep­tember. If you would like to join at Bush­man’s Hill, please submit your EOI via the following link: https://form.jotform.com/261648811099870

Parkes Shire Library: What’s your fa­vourite doodle? Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026 – 50 YEARS DEADLY with Peak Hill Library. Enjoy a hot chocolate and add your favourite doodle to the community canvas using the colours of the Aboriginal and Tor­res Strait Islander flags. Come along on Tuesday July 7th from 10.30am to 12pm and help create something deadly. All ages are welcome.

Winter Fire Safety: As Australians look for ways to manage rising energy costs this winter, homeowners and renters are be­ing encouraged not to cut corners when it comes to fire safety. A simple way to stay on top of smoke alarm maintenance is to remember the Rule of 10:

• Smoke alarms should be less than 10 years old;

• It takes less than 10 seconds to clean them;

• It takes less than 10 seconds to test them.

Taking a few moments to check your smoke alarms today can provide peace of mind and help ensure your household is protected throughout the colder months.

Check your smoke alarm is in good operating order for winter.

Be Seen @ Vinnies Central And Far West NSW

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it was a great day of connection and community at Sunday’s Central West Regional Meeting in Forbes. Vinnies Members from Forbes, Parkes, Condobolin, and Trundle came together to share ideas, discuss local community needs, and enjoy catching up over morning tea and lunch.


The day also included the election of a new Re­gional President. Congratulations to Laurie Keane, who will commence in the role on 1 July. Volun­teering is a great way to give back, and be part of something bigger. Make a difference in your com­munity while expanding your social circle.

Borrow Don’t Buy Is The Forbes Toy Library’s Motto

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Young Arthur was thrilled to be collecting the tractor on behalf of the Toy Library and Luke Collits, Parts Manager from Forbes Machinery Centre.

A toy library is similar to a book library, but instead of borrowing books, families bor­row toys, puzzles, games, ride-ons, and educational play equipment for children.

The Forbes Toy Library was established more than 25 years ago by a dedicated group of local mothers who recognised the value of providing families with access to quality toys and play equipment. Since its inception, the Toy Library has been sup­ported by volunteers who generously give their time to ensure the service continues to benefit the community.

Sally Dobell, Forbes Toy Library Presi­dent said, “We would love to acknowledge and thank Forbes Machinery Centre for their generous donation of a New Holland pedal tractor to the Forbes Toy Library.

“Our previous pedal tractor was also do­nated by Forbes Machinery Centre back in 2012 and became one of our most popular toys, being borrowed more than 224 times over the years. It was enjoyed by count­less local children and created many happy memories.

“We are incredibly grateful for this new donation and look forward to seeing the new tractor bring just as much joy to fami­lies in our community for many years to come.”

Luke Collits, Parts Manager at FMC said “We are fortunate to have such a wonderful community resource in Forbes, and we’re pleased to be able to give something back.”

The Forbes Toy Library is based at the Youth and Community Centre, where it con­tinues to provide local families with afford­able access to more than 400 toys, includ­ing baby toys, construction sets, role-play items, outdoor equipment, and puzzles.

The Forbes Toy Library caters to 0-8 yr olds. Memberships extend beyond Forbes, with current members travelling from Parkes, Eugowra, and Fifield to access the service.

It is best to follow on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest Toy Library news.

Letter To The Editor

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Congratulations to Forbes Fire Station’s newest recruits.

I would like to acknowledge and congrat­ulate three of our local residents—Jake Hemming, Duncan Fox, and Stuart Cuskel­ly—on the successful completion of their training as On-Call Firefighters with Fire and Rescue NSW.

Forbes Fire Station has a proud and longstanding history within our community, having been established in the late 1800s and operating from our current station since 1929. Over that time, generations of firefighters have served the town with dedi­cation and professionalism.

Recent recruitment has been necessary following the retirement of several longserving members of Forbes Station 294.

We have been fortunate that Forbes con­tinues to attract strong local interest from individuals wanting to give back to their community, ensuring the ongoing strength of our brigade.

The newly qualified firefighters will now join the operational members of 294, where they will continue to develop their skills and experience in a real-world response envi­ronment. We are also pleased to note that two additional recruits are nearing comple­tion of their training and will soon join their three teammates as part of the Forbes Fire and Rescue NSW family.

Fire and Rescue NSW is widely known for its firefighting role; however, our crews are also highly trained to respond to a wide range of incidents including hazardous materials (HAZMAT), rescues, and other emergencies. This training ensures our community is well protected across many different situations.

We congratulate our new firefighters and thank them—and all members of Forbes Station 294—for their continued commit­ment to serving our community.

Yours sincerely,
Fire and Rescue NSW
Captain Mark Willis
Fire and Rescue NSW, Forbes 294

Be Seen @ Parliament Of NSW Regional Roadshow

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Fourteen students from across the Central West, Riverina and the wider region participated in the public speaking competition. The winner was Bella Starr from Scots All Saints College, Bathurst, who spoke on the topic ‘Chasing Windmills’. Bella is the daughter of our very own Forbes & Parkes Phoenix designer, Lisa Brien.


The joint runners-up were, Rhys Hutchins (pictured) from Parkes High School and Jonah Grimshaw from Condobo­lin High School, who both spoke on the topic ‘Unread’.


All students displayed remarkable confidence and insight.


School Captain Gabriella Periela represented Red Bend Catholic College.

Phoenix Office 7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

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editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

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sales@forbesphoenix.com.au

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